Hot Buttons: Talk show topics

President George W. Bush traveled to Arlington National Cemetery Monday to pay tribute to the nation's veterans, extolling their military and civilian service to the country and holding them up as examples of citizenship, United Press International reports.

America must "honor" those who served -- no matter what war, what service uniform, or what period between wars in an effort to keep the peace, he says, for they have "a special place in the life of America."

"Veterans do not take life for granted," Bush says. "They know that duty and sacrifice are more than words. And they love America deeply, because they know the cost of freedom, they know the names and faces of men and women who paid for it."

This nation loves peace, yet America must always be prepared to confront and defeat the enemies of human freedom, according to Bush.

-- Do you agree veterans do not take life for granted?

-- What would happen if a draft was instituted again?

(Thanks to UPI White House Correspondent Richard Tomkins)

BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

Microsoft chief Bill Gates is pledging $100 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fight AIDS in India, UPI reports.

"There is no doubt that India faces a serious (AIDS) challenge," Gates said on the first day of his four-day visit to India.

"We do not really know the number of HIV/AIDS victims in India but the sooner we bring attention to the problem and greater visibility, the better we can face it," he added

Gates said much needs to be done in India to contain the spread of AIDS but the country is poised to be a global leader in the development of new HIV prevention technologies.

Current estimates are that India is home to nearly 4 million people with HIV, the second highest total in the world after South Africa.

-- Bill and Melinda Gates have determined the best use of their wealth is to fund infectious disease research, HIV research, reproductive health, high schools and libraries. What do you think?

-- If you have money to donate, is it better used to treat those with AIDS today or to fund HIV research for the future?

DRUG TREATMENT FOR KLEPTOMANIA

Stanford University researchers are testing a drug as a treatment for kleptomania, a mental illness characterized by uncontrollable urges to steal, UPI reports.

Researchers estimate more than 1.2 million Americans suffer from kleptomania, which begins by age 20 in about half of reported cases.

The mental disorder may be triggered by stress. Kleptomaniacs steal impulsively and they usually take inexpensive items they can afford to purchase. Often, they experience intense guilt and never use the stolen item.

In contrast, most thieves steal for profit, take valuable items, plan in advance and feel no guilt, notes researcher Dr. Lorain Koran.

The study aims to determine if a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, currently on the market for treating depression, is effective for kleptomaniacs.

-- Do people view kleptomania as a mental illness?

-- How can a court determine the difference between kleptomaniacs and thieves stealing for profit?

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today's UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.

A Spanish version of the site reaches millions of readers in Latin America and beyond.

UPI was founded in 1907 by E.W. Scripps as the United Press (UP). It became known as UPI after a merger with the International News Service in 1958, which was founded in 1909 by William Randolph Hearst. Today, UPI is owned by News World Communications.